//------------------------------// // Episode 7: False Courage // Story: Elements of Heroism: Season 1 // by Bahamut0 //------------------------------// It started as any other day in Ponyville. Burst woke up and got dressed before heading down for breakfast. As he ate, Burst contemplated the series of events that had transpired since his first year living in Ponyville. Besides Twilight and her friends, he'd also made friend with Inferno, Steel, and Ace. We need to hang out together more. Maybe a sleepover will fix that problem. As soon as Burst finished breakfast, he went outside. "Sure is-" Burst then noticed the black smoke choking up the sky. "...Was a nice day out." Burst spotted Twilight. "Hey Twilight? You got any idea where this smoke's coming from?" "Princess Celestia just notified me. It's coming from a sleeping dragon.", Twilight answered. "I'm about to notify the town and get the girls. Hopefully, we should be able to convince him to leave peacefully." Burst nodded. "Then Inferno and I are coming along. In case he doesn't leave in peace." "Burst, are you sure you can fight a dragon?", Twilight asked. Burst shrugged. "I'm not sure. But I hope it doesn't come to that." Burst then noticed Fluttershy shaking. "Fluttershy? You alright?" "N-n-no!", Fluttershy stammered. "Is it about the dragon?" Fluttershy nodded. "Well Spike's a dragon and you're not scared of him! And Inferno and I have dragons wings. Are we that scary?" "No...but Spike's just a baby. Not a full-grown, fire-breathing, could-eat-me-in-a-single-bite dragon!" Burst sighed. "Look Fluttershy. All of Equestria is counting on you and the girls convincing that dragon to move. And if it helps, I'll carry you. I'll even walk into the dragon's den with you if it'll make you feel any safer. Sound good?" Fluttershy nodded. "Good." Burst then turned to Twilight. "The rest of you go ahead and get ready. I'll stay here with Fluttershy." As Twilight and the other girls went off to prepare, Burst sat down with Fluttershy. "You're braver than you think Shy." Burst said with a smile. "Especially when your friends need you. So if things get rough..." Burst summoned his sword. "...You can count on me to step in." Fluttershy smiled. "Thank you." Twilight and the other girls soon gathered, and the group made their way to the mountain. The girls were confused as to why Burst was carrying Fluttershy the whole way, but they really couldn't complain since Fluttershy wasn't freaking out or jumping in terror at even the most intimidating sound. "How're you holding up Shy?", Burst asked. "So far, so good.", Fluttershy said with a nod. "Oh, I hope I'm not too heavy..." Burst chuckled. "I trained four years to face-off against Nightmare Moon. Meaning I had to build up my physical strength and my endurace. Carrying you isn't much trouble. So just enjoy the ride. We'll get through this together." The group then found themselves in an avalanche zone. They were about halfway through when a stray leaf fell and startled Fluttershy! The sound of her shriek caused a rock slide! Burst took to the air and dodged what falling rocks he could! Soon, the onslaught of falling rocks came to a stop. "You alright?" Fluttershy nodded. "Maybe...maybe I should just go back home." "Well, alright then.", Burst said with a nod. "If you really think that, I'll take you back now." Fluttershy's eyes snapped open! "What? No! I mean...my friends need me. So...I guess I should stick with them." Burst smiled. "Then let's not keep them waiting." Burst once again picked up Fluttershy and proceeded to carry her. "Hold on tight." Burst flew up the pile of rocks and earth that had resulted from the avalanche. "Well, let's keep on moving." The group continued up the mountain and soon arrived at the dragon's cave. Just the beast's snore made Fluttershy cower. Burst could feel her shaking on his back. "Easy Shy. If you don't want to go first, any of us can go in." Burst then set Fluttershy down. Twilight sighed. "I guess I'll go first." Twilight entered the cave and came out not a few seconds later covered from horn to feet in ash from the dragon snorting his smokey breath at her. "Okay. I think it's time someone else to give it a try." Rarity was next and tried to charm the dragon. However, as she tried to procure some gems in the process, she was chased out as the dragon roared! "That's it!", Rainbow Dash shouted. "Time for the good ol' heave-ho!" Rainbow Dash flew in and sounds of struggle and combat were heard coming from the cave! However, the outcome was clearly indicated when Rainbow Dash was sent hurtling out of the cave into a tree! "Okay. New plan. RUN!" The dragon was now awake, and roared as he stepped out of the cave! He took a swing at the girls who scattered to avoid his claws! Burst was about to draw his sword when Twilight was thrown right into him! Save for Fluttershy, Burst and the girls were on the ground in a big pile groaning from being tossed around! Fluttershy then put aside her fear, and flew right up to the dragon! "You...HOW DARE YOU?", Fluttershy yelled! "Listen here mister! Just because you're big, doesn't mean you get to be a bully! You may have huge teeth, sharp scales, snore smoke, and breathe fire! But you DO NOT! I repeat! You DO NOT. HURT. MY. FRIENDS! You got that?" The dragon whimpered in response. "Well?" "But...that rainbow one kicked me...", the dragon replied. "And I am very sorry about that. But you're bigger than she is, and you should know better.", Fluttershy scolded. "You should also know better than to sleep where your snoring can become a health hazard to other creatures." "But I-" "Don't you 'But I" me mister!", Fluttershy said with a stern look on her face. "Now what do you have to say for yourself?" The dragon stood still. "I said, what do you have to say for yourself?" The dragon then whimpered before bursting into tears! Burst looked on with an approving smile. Fluttershy then rubbed the dragon's snout with her hand. "There, there. No need to cry. You're not a bad dragon. You just made a bad decision. Now go pack your things. You just need to find a new place to sleep. That's all." The dragon then gathered his hoard and flew off. As he left, the clouds of smoke faded away. "Fluttershy! You did it! I knew you could!", Twilight cheered! "You were fearless darling!", Rarity said with a smile. "I wouldn't say that.", Burst cut-in. "She showed courage. They're not the same. You were pretty scared at the time still. Right Fluttershy?" Fluttershy nodded. "Oh yes. I was pretty terrified. But I couldn't let that dragon hurt you all. So..I just did what I had to." Burst smiled as he put a hand on her shoulder. "And that's what matters. Courage is moving towards the danger even though you're scared. It's knowing that you're not gonna be chained by your fear and letting it hold power over you. It's like I said to you earlier. You're braver than you look Fluttershy." Fluttershy smiled as she hugged Burst. "Let's head home. I think that's enough of an adventure for one day. And my consoles are calling out to my thumbs!" Far away... A young skyborn man was walking down a plain dirt road. His dark grey skin and wings, and white hair blew lightly in the wind. He closed his blue eyes and sighed. "Was it really right of me to leave Ace and Shadow?" The young man sighed again. "Yeah. It was." He then turned his blue eyes to the sky. "I couldn't do a thing when that storm hit. I was so afraid....AGH!" The young man kicked the dirt! "I was a coward! I should have done something! But I let my fear hold me back..." It was then that a portal opened up and a strange figure walked out. "What the-?! Who are you?!" "You seek to gain mastery over your fear.", the figure said. "Well, me and my friends can help you with that." "What do you mean?" "Join us, and fear shall hold no dominion over you! Instead, YOU shall have dominion over it! And it shall no longer bind you, or limit you! So what do you say? Would like to become one without fear?" The figure then extended his hand. Ice hesitated, but ultimately accepted. "You've got a deal." "So what are you called?" "Dark Ice." "Well Dark Ice..." the figure then smiled. "...Welcome to the Nightmare Forces." And with that, the two vanished through the same portal that had opened earlier. You shall serve as an excellent weapon.....